Alpaca Vs Merino Wool: Which Is Better To Stay Warm And Dry During Winter Camping?

When you plan your first winter camping trip, your first step may be to scour the internet for cozy camp clothes to keep you warm in the cold. Which means you may stumble upon items made out of merino or alpaca wool. Sounds fancy. But how do you know which wool fiber is going to be the best bet at keeping you warm while winter car camping? Or perhaps even more importantly, while winter camping in a tent? While both wools are super soft and great at trapping warmth, the bottom line is clothing made from merino wool is best for winter camping.

You want to find clothing that not only keeps you warm but is also breathable and durable enough to last a while. (Both merino and alpaca wool fabric can be expensive!) You're going to naturally break a sweat when doing physical activity like hiking or chopping wood. This is where merino wool comes in. Because of its elastic quality, merino wool is durable and keeps its shape for long periods of time. It also breathes better and is more elastic than alpaca wool, making it great for temperature management. It's the perfect fabric to keep you cozy while also making sure you don't overheat.

Both wools are extremely soft and anti-itch, so you can be sure that anything made with them will be comfortable to wear. They are also both excellent insulators for the colder temperatures. However, merino wool is best used in active wear and outdoor gear because of its durability and breathability. On the other hand, alpaca wool is best suited to less physical activities, like nice sweaters and casual winter wear. Because of its thick, insulating fabric, it's great at keeping your body warm, but struggles to let out trapped moisture or temperature. The wool is also not super durable, particularly when it comes to garments that are made out of 100% alpaca wool. It is not as elastic as merino wool, so it has trouble holding shape over long periods of time. This means you may want to avoid these types of clothing while hiking or camping for a better experience.

On a Reddit thread in r/Outdoors about Merino vs. Alpaca, u/MushyMollusk summed up the comparison by saying, "Merino is better for temperature regulation, and alpaca is better for warmth." If you're going to a holiday party and need a cozy sweater to wear, alpaca wool is your friend. But if you're going on an outdoorsy trip, opt for merino wool to stay warm while camping in the winter.